Blind bolt



March 24, 1953 J, B. BLACK 2,632,354

BLIND BOLT Filed April 25, 1949 2 SHEET-S-SHEET l J. B. BLACK BLIND BOLTMarch 24, 1953 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed April 25, 1949- j v 1 INVENTOR.JB-BZ a BY MMATTO NEYG Patented Mar. 24, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE BLIND BOLT John B. Black, Garrett, Pa.

Application April 25, 1949, Serial No. 89,522

2 @laims.

This invention relates to bolts and nuts.

In the securing of two or more elements together by means of bolts andnuts, where tools may be engaged with the bolts and nuts on oppositesides of the elements, the securing together of the elements is not adifficult matter. However, where the elements are such that the entireoperation must be performed from one side of the outer element, such asthe outer side of a tank or the like, a conventional nut and bolt cannotbe used. It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide animproved nut and bolt together with appropriate washers whereby the boltmay be inserted from the outer side, and a compressible or distortablewasher inserted after the bolt for interposing between the bolt head andthe inner side of the inner element so that when the nut is threadedonto the bolt, the washer will bear against themnor element and hold thebolt against outward movement.

Another object of this invention i to provide an improved nut and bolt,together with a distortable washer, bushing and nut, and also animproved inserting tool whereby those parts which are to be extendedthrough the opening in the elements may be held in unassembled form andsubsequently the parts may be partially or loosely secured togetherwhile still retained on the inserting tool. After the parts have been atleast partially assembled, the inserting tool is withdrawn and the partsmay then be tightened to the desired degree by use of one or morewrenches. In the final firm tightening of the nut and bolt, a wrench isengaged in a polygonal socket formed in the outer end of the bolt, and aspanner or socket wrench is engaged with the nut. In one form of theinvention the nut is formed with a splined socket for receiving asplined wrench head, and the nut also includes a centering sleeve forcentering the nut and bolt in the opening formed in the elements.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved bolt andnut which may be inserted from one side and which are suitable for usein a highly loaded structure where the shear and tension stressesapproach the yield or ultimate strength of the bolt itself.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bolt and nut whichare insertable from one side and will provide a tight fit whichapproaches a press fit to thereby give ultimate shear and strength andprevent loosening of the nut and bolt under unusual vibration.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bolt and nut whichwhen inserted and tightened may also be withdrawn in the reverseoperation undamaged and re-usable.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved insertingtool which will permit the insertion of the bolt and certain partsassociated therewith through an opening and which may be secured inoperative position by means of the remaining parts which are looselymounted on the tool, the latter being withdrawn through the partiallyassembled parts which are later tightened to the desired degree.

It will be understood therefore, that the main object of this inventionisto provide a means of fastening together two or more components in astructure, device, etc., at locations where desired or in locations notpossible to attach by any other method because in design there are manyproblems which come up before the designer where due to the nature ofthe article being constructed he is confronted with the problem ofpersonnel being able to work only on one side of a surface such as awall or tank or other similar structure. He can drill a hole throughthis surface and insert a fastener, but he is not able to apply a nut orother strong device to the fastener on the other side of the surface dueto the impossibility of gaining access to it, both to get the nut thereand to hold it from turning while he tightens the bolt.

Many ingenious methods have been devised in an attempt to solve thisproblem. In almost every case these attempts have consisted of changingthe design of the article being constructed which invariably raises thefinal cost of the product due to the added complication.

The object of this invention, namely to design a bolt which can beinserted through a hole in a surface without anyone ever in the courseof construction having to touch the far wall or its surface and providea fit with such surface even as tight as a press fit for the bolt andgiving ultimate shear and tensile strength, is accomplished by the meanshere described.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bolt and nut with adouble tapered sleeve to' wedge itself in the holes of the objects to befastened so tightly as to eliminate all tolerance and. to removeslippage in shear.

A further object of this invention is to provide a nut and bolt whichcan be inserted from one side and which when tightened will formastruc-v tural fastening and seal its own hole against the leakage ofliquids or gases.

It will be understood that with the above and other objects in view, myinvention consists in the arrangement, combination and details ofconstruction disclosed in the drawings and specification and then moreparticularly pointed out in the appened claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail end elevation of a bolt con- 3 structed accordingto an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure. 1,.

Figure 3 is. alongitudinal section partly in detail, showing the nut andbolt with associated parts, in the initial position and mounted on aninserting tool,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, showing the bolt with thedistortable washer in applied position prior to the tightening of thenut.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the bolt with the nutand bolt engagedby wrenches for firmly tightening the nut and bolt tohold the parts together,

Figure 6 is a vertical section of'a modified form of this invention,

Figure 7 is an outer end elevation of the struc ture shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8' is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8-8 ofFigure 4,

Figure 9 is a sectional view of another modification of the invention,

Figure 10 is a detailed. side elevation of the wedging sleeve shown inFigure 9.

Referring to the drawings and firstv to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, thenumerals Hit and I I designate generally a pair of elements which are tobe secured together, the element It being an inner element whichcannot'be contacted from the outside, and may be onepart of a wall of atank or. the like. The two elements Ill: and II; are: formed withregistering openings I 2 and. I3: respectively, and a bolt generallydesignated as I4: is partially inserted through the registeringopeningsI2 and I3, with the head I55 of the bolt being'innermos-t.

A truncated conical washer t6; which is pref.- erably of laminatedconstruction; with thelaminations thereof secured together in anysuitable manner, is adapted: to be. inserted: through the registeringopenings I2: and I3, and the larger end of the washer I6 is disposed inconfronting position to the inner side of. the inner element 1 I. Acylindrical sleeve I1 is insertedin the registering openings I 2 andI3,. and preferably the sleeve I1 is of such size that when the sleeveis disposed with the outer endthereofflush with the outer surface ofthe-outer element I0, the sleeve I! will be. held, within the openings.I2 and I3 by a substantial pressed fit..

The sleeve I;'I may-be formed; to the shape. I-I-a as shown. in Figure10,. with adouble taper as follows: one taper being. of considerableangle to. fit the. truncated; conical: washer I6. Fromits largestdiameter a second taper progresses along surfaces I2 and I3,terminating. at. washer' 29. This. taper is of much smaller angle sothat it will wedge-itself tightly-intheiholes in II and. I2 which may ormay not-be: taper reamed: to BC. commodate. the sleeve.

The inner end of the sleeve I I is adapted to project inwardly from.the. inner surface" of the inner element II and: into the base or largeend of the washer L6. The inner end portion. of. the sleeve I1 isbevelled. or tapered. as indicated. at. [8, so that when the sleeve I1is forced inwardly, the. inner end. of the. sleeve II! will tend. toreshape the washer I6 and" will also form a. shoulder against which the;inner surface of the washer I6 may contact;

A ring or annulus I9 is-interposed between the base of thefrusto-conical washer- IG and the inner side of the inner element II",and an outer washer is adapted to bear agai'nsttheouter end of thesleeve IT and" when" thenut" 2 1 is threaded a part of sleeve 35.

4 onto the bolt I4, the outer washer 20 will press against the outer endof sleeve I! to forcibly move this sleeve inwardly into the openings I2and I3.

The. nut. 2I. isformed with an outer. polygonal nut surface. and theouterend of the bolt It is formed with a polygonal socket 22 which isadapted to be engaged by a polygonal plug wrench so that the bolt I4 maybe held against turning when the nut 2| is being tightened. The bolt [4is also formed at the inner end of the socket 22 with a threaded socketor recess 23 having, a right'or. left hand thread, within which thethreaded stud 24 of an inserting tool generally designated as 25 isadapted to initially en gage. The inserting tool 25 includes anelongated shank 26:which.is:formed. at its outer end with ahead orhandle. 21, and the shank 26 is provided with. a laterally extendingprojection 28 disposed on an oblique angle to the. length of the shank26 and against which the inner. surface of the. frusto-conical. washer.I6. is adapted to. initially engage. The; projection 28 includes an.integral forwardly and; inwardly projecting extension 2.9.: whichterminates in the threaded stud 24.

Referring, now to: Figures 6: and 7' there is disclosed amodified formof: nut and bolt structure embodying a bolt 3!] having a: head 3!, and athreadedshan'k. 32. A frusto-conical and lami nated washer which may be;formed of term pered metal is adapted to bear at its small end againstthe; head fi-I. and is adapted at its large or outer end to bearagainst: the, inner surface of. the inner'element. I I a.

A. nut generally designated as 3 5 is threaded on the shank 32 andincludes a sleeve or bushing 35 which is adapted to snugly engage inregistering openings E20, and Ba which are formed in the elements Illaand Mia. respectively. The shank or sleeve 35v is formed at its innerend with a. taper or. bevel 36 adapted to engage within. the baseorlarge end. of. the frusto-conical washer 33. Thenut 34. includes avbevelled head 3.? adapted when. the nut is. in. applied position to beflush with the outer surface of the outer element Illa.

The. nut. 33 is formed. centrally thereof with a relatively large socketor recess having. splines 33" in. the side thereof. The bolt 30'includes a polygonal socket 3'51 opening. outwardly and a right or lefthand threaded socket or recess 40' is formed at the base or. inner end.of the polygonal socket 39. By providing. the. polygonal socket 39 aplug. wrench can be inserted into the outer end of the boltishank' 32and a circular splined' wrench may be inserted into the nut head The nut34 may then. be rotated with the shank 32' held against. rotation sothat the nut 34' will be extended through the openings I20: and 13a ofthe elements H511 and Ma and will project partly into the base of" thelaminated washer 33. The tapered" or bevelledinner' end of the shank orsleeve 315- of the" nut' 34 assures the central positioning of thewasher 33 about the bolt shank 3'2 and in a' pressure applying positionagainst the inner side of the inner element Ha.

The nut 34 may terminate alonga line-perpendicular to the center lineof-theboltand include The remainder of sleeve 35' with the bevelled end36' can be-a separate sleeve identical with IT ofFigure 2.

In themounting of the bolt, nut'and associated parts hereinbeforedescribed, the assembly is taken apart and inserted onto the insertingtool 25 after the manner shown in Figure 3. The nut 22 is first placedon the tool 25, followed by the washer 29, the sleeve I7, the washer I9and the distortable laminated washer I6. The outer end of the bolt I4 isthen threaded onto the stud 24. The bolt I 4 is then extended throughthe registering openings I2 and I3 which are substantially the samediameter as the diameter of the head I 5 of the bolt. The distortablelaminated washer I5 is disposed in the position shown in Figure 3, withthe lateral projection 28 of the tool engaging on the inner side of thewasher 55. This washer is then forced sidewise through the registeringopenings I2 and I3, being distorted or ovalized during this operation.

After the washer 56 passes through the inner opening 13, washer is willreturn to substantially its normal configuration and washer is may thenbe distorted or bent to pass through the openings I2 and E3. The twowashers l8 and I9 are preferably of tempered material so that they canbe distorted or bent, and when pressure has been released they willreturn to their normal shape.

After the two washers I6 and I9 have been passed through the openings [2and I3, sleeve I is pushed forwardly so as to engage within the openingsI2 and I3. Preferably the fit of the sleeve I? is a relatively tight fitin the openings I2 and I3 so that relatively strong pressure must beexerted against the outer end of the sleeve I? to move this sleevecompletely into the openings I2 and I3.

With sleeve I? in substantially the position shown in Figure 4, outerwasher Z3 is moved forwardly and bolt I4 is pulled outwardly throughsleeve Ii. Nut 2I is then loosely threaded onto bolt I l whereupon tool25 may be unthreaded from bolt I l. A plug wrench M may then be extendedinto the wrench socket 22 and a spanner socket wrench 42 may be extendedover wrench ll, as shown in Figure 5, and engaged about nut 25. Nut 2!may then be tightened by socket wrench 32 and in the tightening of nut2i, washer 16 will be moved outwardly to tight engagement with washerI9.

Where the nut and bolt structure shown in Fig ures 6 and 7 is used, thenut and bolt is inserted with inserting tool 25 after the mannerhereinbefore described. Inasmuch as nut 34 is a countersunk nut, a pairof plug wrenches will be used, the smaller wrench engaging in socket 39,and a hollow and splined wrench engaged with the splines 38.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, there is disclosed another modificationof this invention wherein a bolt I la has a nut 2Ia threaded thereonsimilar in every detail to the bolt I l and nut 25. A tapered washer 33ais interposed between bolt head I5a and inner element IIb and a taperedsleeve Ila is disposed about the bolt shank, being formed with a taperor bevel I 8a for engagement within washer 33a, and also formed with asecond taper 45 adapted to wedgingly engage in the opening of elementsI9?) and I Ib. The openings in elements Ito and III; may be reamed outto form a tapered hole similar to the taper of sleeve Ila, or theseholes may be left straight.

A compressible sealing ring 46 is disposed about ring or gasket 46 tothereby effect a liquid or as tight joint.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of constructionherein disclosed, but claim all variations falling within the purview ofthe appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination a bolt adapted for insertion through an opening in oneor more elements from the outer side thereof, said bolt including athreaded shank substantially smaller in diameter than said opening, ahead carried by said shank and adapted to pass through said opening andhaving a diameter greater than the diameter of said shank, a resilient,laminated f-rusto-conical washer about said shank collapsible forinsertion through the opening, said washer being engageable at the smallend thereof against said head and bearing at the large end thereofagainst the inner side of said element, the large end of said washerbeing larger than the diameter of said opening, and a nut threaded ontothe outer end of said shank, said shank having a polygonal socket in theouter end thereof for receiving a plug wrench to thereby hold said shankagainst turning when said nut is tightened thereon said shank alsohaving a threaded socket within said polygonal socket for receiving atool during the initial positioning of the bolt in the opening.

2. In combination, a bolt adapted for insertion through an openingformed in one or more elements, said bolt including a threaded shanksubstantially smaller in diameter than said open ing, a head on one endof said shank, a laminated frusto-conical washer about said shankhearing at the small end thereof against said head and bearing at thelarge end thereof against the inner side of said element, said washerbeing resilient and distortable for insertion through said opening, anda nut threaded onto said shank, said nut having a sleeve engageable insaid opening and a recessed head on the outer end of said sleeve, therecess in said head being formed with angular faces for engagement witha wrench, said shank having a polygonal socket in the outer end thereoffor receiving a plug wrench and also having a threaded socket at theinner end of said polygonal socket for receiving a tool during theinitial positioning of the bolt in the opening.

JOHN B. BLACK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 491,469 Carver Feb. 7, 18931,031,462 Paine July 2, 1912 1,109,347 McIntyre Sept. 1, 1914 1,370,319Kennedy Mar. 1, 1921 1,551,381 Foss Aug. 25, 1925 1,838,134 Cozzens Dec.29, 1931 2,099,678 Curtis Nov. 23, 1937 2,103,944 Gullborg Dec. 28, 19372,118,755 Bergert May 24, 1938 2,291,430 Ingersoll July 28, 19422,387,468 Ritzel Oct. 23, 1945 2,469,349 Zeidler May 3, 1949 2,525,117Campbell Oct. 10, 1950

